Group: Fair tax resolution passes in 31 towns voting Tuesday
March 12, 2008
The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H.—A resolution opposed to New Hampshire's anti-tax "pledge" has passed in at least 31 towns.
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That's according to the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition, which has been advocating the "fair tax" resolution for several years. Many towns held their town meeting Tuesday.
For decades, candidates for New Hampshire governor have done poorly if they refuse to pledge to veto a broad-based income or sales taxes. But steadily rising property taxes have squeezed taxpayers, and the coalition says it's time to consider fairer alternatives. The group does not recommend any specific solution.
The proposed resolution, which asks state officials to recognize the property tax is a problem and to reject "the pledge," is being considered by voters in 89 New Hampshire towns this year. It was passed by 13 additional towns the city of Somersworth last year.
"If this pattern continues at town meetings statewide this week, the stake will be firmly planted for tax reform in the Granite State," said Paul Henle, executive director of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition.
"The 31 towns that voted Tuesday for the Fair Tax Resolution are diverse geographically, politically and economically, and when you add these to the 14 communities that passed this last year, we're starting to see a grassroots groundswell of support for change from every corner of the state," he said.
Henle said those corners include the town of Orford, the hometown of former Gov. Meldrim Thomson, who elevated the pledge to a near-mandate for statewide candidates for office.
The resolution reads:
Resolved: We the citizens of this town believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair. State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to reject the "Pledge," have an open discussion covering all options, and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes.
March 12, 2008
The Boston Globe
CONCORD, N.H.—A resolution opposed to New Hampshire's anti-tax "pledge" has passed in at least 31 towns.
more stories like this
That's according to the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition, which has been advocating the "fair tax" resolution for several years. Many towns held their town meeting Tuesday.
For decades, candidates for New Hampshire governor have done poorly if they refuse to pledge to veto a broad-based income or sales taxes. But steadily rising property taxes have squeezed taxpayers, and the coalition says it's time to consider fairer alternatives. The group does not recommend any specific solution.
The proposed resolution, which asks state officials to recognize the property tax is a problem and to reject "the pledge," is being considered by voters in 89 New Hampshire towns this year. It was passed by 13 additional towns the city of Somersworth last year.
"If this pattern continues at town meetings statewide this week, the stake will be firmly planted for tax reform in the Granite State," said Paul Henle, executive director of the Granite State Fair Tax Coalition.
"The 31 towns that voted Tuesday for the Fair Tax Resolution are diverse geographically, politically and economically, and when you add these to the 14 communities that passed this last year, we're starting to see a grassroots groundswell of support for change from every corner of the state," he said.
Henle said those corners include the town of Orford, the hometown of former Gov. Meldrim Thomson, who elevated the pledge to a near-mandate for statewide candidates for office.
The resolution reads:
Resolved: We the citizens of this town believe in a New Hampshire that is just and fair. The property tax has become unjust and unfair. State leaders who take a pledge for no new taxes perpetuate higher and higher property taxes. We call on our State Representatives, our State Senator and our Governor to reject the "Pledge," have an open discussion covering all options, and adopt a revenue system that lowers property taxes.